Montclair Resident Accused Of Attempting Sexual Assault & Sending Explicit Material To A Minor During Undercover Operation
Thursday, February 19, 2026, 12:45 P.M. ET. 3 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
CAMDEN, NJ.- An Essex County man has been arrested and charged in connection with a Camden County child sex crimes sting after authorities say he attempted to engage in sexual conduct with a minor he met online.
Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay announced that Fred Newman, 39, of Montclair, has been charged with multiple felony offenses stemming from an undercover investigation conducted by the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crimes Unit.
According to prosecutors, Newman is charged with one count of second-degree Attempted Sexual Assault, two counts of third-degree Attempted Sending Obscene Material to a Minor, and one count of third-degree Attempted Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
Undercover Investigation;
Authorities said the investigation began on December 12, 2025, when Newman allegedly initiated online communications with an individual he believed to be a 14-year-old girl. Investigators later determined that the person he was communicating with was, in fact, an undercover detective assigned to the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crimes Unit.
During the course of the online exchanges, prosecutors allege Newman sent multiple explicit photographs and videos and expressed a desire to engage in sexual conduct with the purported minor. Detectives documented the communications and conducted further investigative steps to identify the suspect.
Following the investigation, Newman was formally charged on February 3, 2026, based on evidence gathered during the undercover operation.
Arrest And Detention;
On Tuesday, February 10, 2026, members of the U.S. Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force, working through the Newark and Camden divisions, located Newman in Newark, New Jersey, and took him into custody without incident.
Following his arrest, Newman was remanded to the Camden County Correctional Facility, where he remains pending further court proceedings.
Ongoing Efforts And Public Assistance;
Prosecutor MacAulay emphasized the continued commitment of her office to protecting children from online exploitation and holding offenders accountable.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to this case or similar offenses to contact Sergeant John Cochran of the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crimes Unit at (856) 225-8826. Tips may also be submitted anonymously through CAMDEN.TIPS.
Legal Reminder;
All charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations only, and a defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Editor’s Note:
This article was written by Art Fletcher, Executive Editor, and is based on the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office and derived from official law enforcement statements and investigative records. Englebrook Independent News adheres to strict editorial standards when reporting on criminal matters involving allegations of sexual misconduct and crimes against children. Names and details are published in accordance with public safety considerations and legal transparency. Charges are not convictions.
